One’s just about to start his high school swimming career and one’s off to swim at the collegiate level. But both Matthew Holzman, 12, and Keenan Anaya, 17, shared the spotlight for Mokihana Aquatics this past weekend at the 2006
One’s just about to start his high school swimming career and one’s off to swim at the collegiate level.
But both Matthew Holzman, 12, and Keenan Anaya, 17, shared the spotlight for Mokihana Aquatics this past weekend at the 2006 Age Group Long Course Championships at Veteran’s Memorial Swimming Pool on O‘ahu.
“Keenan took medals in all eight of his events and Matthew won two medals,” Mokihana Aquatics head coach Orlando Anaya said. “It was very hot and very long. It was actually quite brutal. It was almost like an ironman competition, instead of a swimming contest.”
On Saturday, Anaya picked up a fourth place medal in the 200 fly with a time of 2:30.96. Anaya also earned a fifth place showing in the 200 free with a 2:07.66. As the day went along, Anaya continued to fight for medals, as he finished up in fourth at the 50 free event (26.49).
“He was eight for eight, basically batting .1000,” Orlando said. “That’s a great accomplishment, swimming 16 races over a three day period is quite tough to do.”
In the meantime, Holzman swam away with his first medal, a sixth place finish in the 50 breast (39.38) on Sunday.
Anaya earned bronze on Sunday, with a 1:09.53 in the 100 back. He also placed fifth in the 100 free (58.22). Anaya’s seventh place showing in the 200 IM (2:29.01) ended a highly decorated two day period.
But the recent Kaua‘i High School graduate wasn’t done just yet.
Anaya grabbed two sixth place medals on Monday (200 back and 100 fly). Holzman also claimed some hardware on Monday, with an eighth place showing in the 100 breast.
Kelsey Tanaka, another Mokihana swimmer at states, failed to make any finals, but he was able to post a personal best time in the 50 free.
Mokihana swimmers Randy Umetsu and Tyson Chihara qualified for states, but decided to tend to other commitments.
According to Anaya, Kaua‘i’s lone female state qualifier, Kesia Anaya, opted not to the attend the championships.
“We wanted her to make more times,” Orlando said. “She still has two more years.”
Meanwhile, Ben Baldwin, a top athlete for Swim Kauai Aquatics, was forced to withdraw for the event, due to an illness.
Ben, who was a high seed in nearly all of his eight entered events, took sick shortly after arriving on O‘ahu last Thursday afternoon.
Due to a high fever and other serious symptoms, Ben’s coach, Greg Davis, had little choice but to scratch the 16-year-old from the entire meet and return to Kaua‘i.
“It is extremely unfortunate this had to happen, as Ben was really ready to race well,” Davis said. “These things happen though and Ben will have other opportunties this summer to swim. We’ll just get ready for the next meet.”
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
